Mexico – Soccer’s Fiesta

The parking lots surrounding AT&T Park were jumping yesterday for the city’s soccer double-header – the wave of El Triwas flying grandly over the mariachi bands, the slings of Coronas and the meat grilling. Color festooned the fiesta. No mistaking Mexican soccer on the card- a roast for national pride. Few other countries match the passion that Mexico has for its footballers. As if the Saints themselves have come down wearing the nation’s green. And Mexico waits. Waits for the World Cup to be wrapped in their colors.

Modern soccer was invented in Mexico in 1970. The world was still tripping through the refractions of the late-sixties. Pop culture set the altar for the worship of idols. Soccer was no exception. Stars were rising. The old soccer age, weighted by dour conformity, was ending. And above the earth, a new tech-God was beaming – the telecommunications satellite. The 1970 Mexico World Cup was the first to be screened in color – the canvas splash, and the media age – the stars shone, Pele, Muller, Beckenbauer, Jarzinho, even the English players looked something more than pale. The Mexican sun shone on the magic – Brazil in yellow and sea blue with its dazzling flight across the spectrum; the Adidas Telstar ball was magnetic in sharp contrast black and white panels; add your voice to the sound of the crowd, the sizzling atmosphere inside the Estadio Azteca for the memorable Final between Brazil and Italy was broadcast to millions of homes around the planet. The designs of Mexico 70 were to become iconic. The official FIFA logo was superimposed on T-shirts, track wear, coffee mugs, postage stamps, even cool smoking Mexico 70 ashtrays were hot items. Men were on the moon. Soccer followed them into orbit. And it stayed there.

Mexico defeated Senegal 2-1 in their match-up Saturday. They set out for the London Olympics, kicking off the qualification tournament on March 22nd. The U-23 squad will represent El Tri. They are expected to be gracing the English fields in the summer. Bring the bloom to the fiesta.

Grab a copy of the Friday print Chronicle for Alan Black’s new soccer column.